STERLING — While Friday was filled with fun and games, Saturday, firefighters and families attending the 2014 Colorado State Fire Fighters Association Convention, Fire College and Tournament, hosted by Merino Fire Department, paused to remember the fallen, as well as those still serving, during a special Memorial Service.

Originally scheduled to be held at Columbine Park, the weather forced the service to move indoors, to the American Legion.

The ceremony started with the posting of the colors by the color guard, a welcome by Merino Fire Chief Dan Wiebers and a prayer led by Jared Sonnenberg, chaplain for Sterling Fire Department.

The color guard posts the colors during the Colorado State Fire Fighters Association Convention Memorial Service, Saturday, at the American Legion. (Callie Jones / Sterling Journal-Advocate)

Sonnenberg was the speaker for the event; he read a scripture from Isaiah 43: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you."

He spoke of how the fallen firefighters have moved into eternity, "to a place Jesus went to prepare just for them," known as Heaven.

"Even in saying goodbye to these brothers, there is encouraging news. In the 23rd Psalm, David tells us that we have one on whom we can lean, who walks with us in life and prepares a place for us beyond this life. This is particularly important because of your service," Sonnenberg said.

"Whenever you're called out danger and hurtles potentially wait at every turn," he went on to say. "This is a feeling that families never get used to. It's not easy watching your loved ones go out when the tones go off. The heart throbs just a little bit. It's difficult to watch those we care about head to uncertain futures. This is why it is right and just to remember those who serve, and right and just that we recognize those still serving."

He spoke of the struggles firefighters face — tiredness, sore muscles, long hours, hunger paints and thirst — and pointed out it's the challenging times that give you the most strength.

"It's always tough for firefighters," Sonnenberg said. "You guys don't just face long hours, but you face short budgets. We often face losing economic fights. I know that budgets within departments and budgets at home are tight. It's horrible and frustrating, it's even maddening and down right a sin. I believe that our departments have to fight and scrape for everything. But no matter how frustrating and difficult it may be, I want you to know this: Your service and your departments are appreciated more than you realize.

"Your communities need you and they appreciate in ways that they don't even know how to say. So on behalf of civilians everywhere, thank you, thank you, thank you."

He thanked the firefighters for "being willing to lay down your life for your friends and community."

Sonnenberg pointed out that firefighters face a shortened life span; they're at greater risk of cancer and other diseases because of their continued exposure to smoke and toxins, and their relationships also have higher rates of breaking up.

"So, I want to encourage you to continue to take care of yourselves. Always find time for self care, take care of your families, because your families need you and our country needs you," he told the firefighters.

He also encouraged them to stand a littler taller and make a good impression on the future generation of firefighters that were there.

"Stand tall tonight and know that you're making an impression that will last a lifetime for the next generation of firefighters."

He closed with some words from an unknown author, to remember the fallen, "step by step I learned that I didn't need to hold onto death, to remember life."

Sonnenberg then read the Firefighter's Prayer, before reading the names of the three Colorado firefighters who died over the last year: Paul Babkiewich, of the Golden Fire Department; Marvin Vanhorn, of the Yuma Fire Department; and John Aggson, of the Fort Morgan Fire Department.

After he read the names, Wiebers rang a bell. The bell is an important tradition for firefighters; in the past when a firefighter died in the line of duty, the toll of the bell would announce their passing.

Sonnenberg then gave a special blessing for firefighters who still serve and read a poem, "I know," before giving a closing prayer.

Article Comments

We reserve the right to remove any comment that violates our ground rules, is spammy, NSFW, defamatory, rude, reckless to the community, etc.

We expect everyone to be respectful of other commenters. It's fine to have differences of opinion, but there's no need to act like a jerk.

Use your own words (don't copy and paste from elsewhere), be honest and don't pretend to be someone (or something) you're not.

Our commenting section is self-policing, so if you see a comment that violates our ground rules, flag it (mouse over to the far right of the commenter's name until you see the flag symbol and click that), then we'll review it.